Train for Mountain Flying

The Rocky Mountains are the largest mountain system in the United States, stretching approximately 3,000 miles from Canada through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and down to New Mexico. While the sights can be spectacular, the environment poses unique dangers for aircraft.

Planning Your Rocky Mountain Pass

Compared to flat-land flying, the Rockies’ high elevations and intense winds present big challenges, requiring added awareness and preparation specific to the region. When deliberating a flight plan through mountains, there are several important factors to consider to protect both the passengers and aircraft:

●       Varying weather conditions

●       Potential icing scenarios

●       Increased turbulence

●       High-density altitude

●       Airport-specific regulations

●       Fewer airport deviations

Weather is a major consideration, with winds having a dramatic effect in the form of rapid shifts from downdrafts, updrafts and changing directions from influences caused by the terrain. Strong downdrafts can easily exceed aircraft climb performance.

Flying at a slight angle amid mountain ranges is recommended in case you need to divert out of a draft. As a general rule, it is best to keep a safe distance from terrain, always giving yourself an out.

The Rocky Mountains are one of the most turbulent areas in the country to fly. Turbulence, especially near airports, can cause large speed variations and changes in the aircraft attitude. Ensuring the cabin is secure is important to protect passengers from injury and prevent loose items from shifting.

Be sure you closely study your specific destination (and nearby) airports. Some mountain-based airports only offer one way in, one way out. With tailwind restrictions on variable winds, a missed approach must be prepared for in terms of both a plan of action and route. 

Because of the effects of density altitude, it might be possible to land the aircraft at an airport but be unable to depart without off-loading weight or waiting until the temperature changes. Knowing the climb performance of the aircraft is critical to ensure you have the ability to depart the location.

More advice: Rehearse and memorize your aircraft’s performance numbers leading up to your flight, ensuring you select a path suited for your aircraft’s capability. Search online articles or forums for other pilots who have made the crossing in your type aircraft. Helpful tips and tricks can be found in others’ real-world lessons and experiences. Pick a good path and pass that is customarily used.

Training to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your aircraft’s capabilities and the terrain is crucial to safe flying. Above all, if you have not flown across the Rockies before, the first course of action is to seek dual instruction from a qualified mountain flying instructor. 

Learn from Experienced Instructors

FlightSafety International is renowned for training professional and personal pilots of all types. In addition to safety, one of the greatest advantages of high-tech simulation is the ability to formulate real-world situations pilots might face unique to their geographical environment – say Aspen, Rifle or Vail.

With equipment and controls mirroring those of their actual aircraft, the simulator is programmed to respond exactly how the aircraft would in each scenario. Additionally, emergency ATC calls can be practiced with realistic ATC responses.

FlightSafety simulators have high-fidelity visuals that can match the mountain conditions, terrain and approaches you’ll encounter and allow practice before real-world execution. Training days aren’t canceled for the weather either – quite the opposite.

Types and severity of the weather can be controlled throughout a session, adding elements of difficulty around visibility, turbulence, wind or rain. Icy runways and nighttime conditions can also be integrated. Instructors can customize probable situations unique to various piloting backgrounds and airport experience.

Throughout preparation, pilots can use the simulator to configure appropriately to comply with necessary descent angles and satisfy stable approach criteria. Missed approach planning and practicing in the simulator helps highlight the hazards of balked landings and missed approaches airport to airport.

Even if the weather is clear and conditions are ideal, practicing escape procedures and experiencing the flows and management increases a pilot’s understanding of how to load and activate procedures promptly and safely. Planning ahead with a trained professional is the greatest strategy to take control of the situation and achieve an enjoyable, successful mountain flying experience